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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

It has finally happened: Meg has reached the age where she wants to do everything by herself.

See that balloon? The blue one? Yeah, that one. That is the balloon I tried to help her hold, but she would have none of it. Wouldn't even let me tie it on her wrist. She had to be in control and hold it herself. She did a good job too. I was sure it would slip through her grasp reducing her to a pile of rage and tears, but she held onto that string tight, looking up at her beautiful blue prize, whispering "mine."

Meg has also decided she doesn't want any help eating any more. That's fine when it's something like crackers, or fruit, but a little trickier when she wants to eat yogurt. So far we've managed that by giving her the little squeeze pouches, which she handles with very little mess, but I know the day when nothing but a spoon will do is coming soon. She's already working with utensils to eat less splattable things -- like peas -- so I am hoping her skills will have greatly improved by then.

Meg's cousin Luke continues to be her hero, and she wants to do everything he does -- by herself. If he walks up the stairs, she wants to walk up the stairs. If he plays the drums, she wants to play. If he is eating a sandwich that isn't cut into pieces, you better believe Meg wants hers whole. Meg also wants anything that Luke has, and will follow him asking for "bites" if it is food, or "have it" if it is something else. Luckily, Luke adores Meg and is always willing to share. When I think him for being so great with her he always shrugs and says "she's my cousin." What a great kid.

The most heartrending sign of independence is that Meg no longer wants me to put her to bed. Now when she is ready to go she let's me carry her into her room, but then points at her crib rather than letting me rock her to sleep. She still let's Ryan rock her though, probably because she still fits on his lap. After all, she is already half my height.

So, today it's climbing up in chairs, and wanting to take off her shoes herself. Tomorrow it will be borrowing the car and picking out clothing that I think is ridiculous, but she says is "cool." I just hope time slows down a little between now and then. I can't believe it's already been 19 months.

I used to work in a day care room of one year olds, and it was so cute and hilarious watching them maneuver peas on a spoon. They would get like 4 peas on the spoon, and by the time it got to their mouth, one was there. They would eat that one and be uber proud of themselves.

Did you delete the post right before this one...? :-) It's showing up in my reader but not on your blog. I wanted to comment because I am someone who is "peeing on everything" and taking my temperature and month after month: nothing. It amazes me when my friends get pregnant, especially the ones who are supposedly trying not to get pregnant, which I admit actually makes me want to punch them in the face.

She'll be picking out her clothes way before the teen years-- Megan is almost four and already has a shoe collection to rival Imelda Marcos. Given your penchant for plastic footwear, I'm thinking this will be a saving grace for her.

I think I totally want to hang out with Meg and eat peas and yogurt. I'm not a big balloon fan, but I promise that if we come across some, she can have mine. In fact, I'd ask for one just to give it to her because that independent little face you've pictured there is amazing! What a joy you so clearly have!